Short-term rental in Greece: Changes and restrictions are coming

Since the beginning of 2023discussion of the imposition of measures on the short term rental market has been on the table, which, while it has brought revenue to the state, has created a problem with the availability and prices of properties for rent and sale, especially in urban areas., which, while it has brought revenue to the state, has created a problem with the availability and prices of properties for rent and sale, especially in urban areas.

According to information, the discussion will start from scratch, however, it seems that the government is oriented towards imposing restrictions on the number of properties that an owner can rent out, as well as setting a maximum time limit for which the property can be used on the platform.

The measures that are on the table

There will be a different treatment for companies or managers that rent out many properties, while changes will also be made to taxation.

In particular, with regard to real estate managers and large companies, what is being considered is for them to become legal entities and receive a special operating mark. In these cases VAT and accommodation tax will be imposed as in hotels.

Limitations on the number of homes that can be rented out by a single VAT number.

Formation of time limits regarding the lease of the houses for short-term lease in cooperation with the municipalities.

Limits on the number of homes that can be rented out by each VAT number.

VAT imposition. Today Airbnb owners are not required to pay VAT. From 2025, however, this will change at the European level and VAT will apply to short-term rentals. For property owners, the VAT will be withheld by the platform and paid to the Greek State, so that the owners do not have to open books.

The short-term rental law

It is worth noting that in 2016 a law was passed that included a series of “tools” to limit short-term rentals, however a ministerial decision was never issued to make it concrete.

Specifically, the law states: By joint decision of the Ministers of Economy and Development, Finance and Tourism, for reasons related to the protection of the residence, geographical areas may be defined, where restrictions will apply to the availability of real estate for short-term rental as follows:

a. Do not allow the short-term rental of more than two properties per tax number of beneficiary income.

b. The lease of each property should not exceed 90 days per calendar year and for islands with less than 10,000 inhabitants 60 days per calendar year.

Exceeding the duration is allowed, as long as the total income of the lessor or sublessor, from all the properties available for lease or sublease, does not exceed 12,000 euros per year.